Show and Tell with Trish and Mel

By incorporating slapstick humor, creative fun, and cleverly disguised learning tools into every show, Trish Ewing and Melissa Simmons have developed an engaging form of children’s entertainment that has taken the area by storm.

By: Paula Singleton
Date: 01/14/2009
If you’ve ever planned a party for a group of three- to seven-year-olds, you know they can be a tough crowd.

Their trademark short attention span, frequent vocal outbursts and unbridled energy can push the most patient parent’s nerves to the edge. So where do you turn when faced with the task of engaging this age group in a way that’s hip and fun?

You may want to explore Show and Tell With Trish and Mel, a series of 30- to 45-minute live variety shows developed, written and performed by educators Trish Ewing and Melissa Simmons, and specifically targeted to pre-school and primary school children.

Kids can’t seem to get enough of Trish and Mel and neither can their parents. “It was clear to us early on that we were a hit with the kids,” says Melissa. “But we knew we were on to something special when parents started telling us they loved our jokes and pop culture references.”

Trish and Melissa met in the classroom at Faith Lutheran Preschool in Fairlawn seven years ago where Trish teaches and Melissa joined as an assistant teacher. The personality play between the organized and responsible “Miss Trish” and her well intentioned but bumbling assistant, “Miss Mel,” is classic slapstick and mirrors their real life personas.

Miss Trish incorporates a book, a letter of the day, spelling and numbers into every show, while Miss Mel manages to create a big mess with her silly shenanigans. A lively array of props, music, dance and games keeps the pace moving fast.

“Parents and grandparents often shy away from live performances because they know the kids won’t be quiet or sit still,” says Trish. “We know it’s hard for kids to sit still so we involve them in the show. We give them cues about when to listen and when they’re allowed to clap or shout or stand. We want them to have fun and also to use good manners.”

Trish, a mother of two, and Melissa, a mother of three, have written more than 50 shows, performing them throughout Northeast Ohio. In just eight weeks they grew the weekly story hour at a local bookstore from seven participants to more than 100.

Since performing at their first scheduled birthday party three years ago, they’ve appeared at Weathervane Playhouse, the Akron Civic Theatre, First Night Akron, The Akron Arts Expo, preschools, primary schools, libraries and many more birthday parties.

They tailor school performances to reinforce curriculum items like Crazy Caterpillars—a show about the lifecycle of the butterfly—or write a child’s favorite things into the performance for a birthday party. “That’s the best part of creating the programs ourselves,” smiles Trish. “We love a challenge and can change an existing program or write a new one to fit a specific need.”

You can catch a live Show and Tell with Trish and Mel family event called Pajama Party at the Akron Civic Theatre on Sunday, February 8. Kids should come dressed in their favorite PJs, ready to participate, using props they make themselves in the lobby prior to the show. (See the end of this story for more on ticket information.)

The 2009 calendar is filling quickly, so you may want to call soon to find out about scheduling a Show and Tell with Trish and Mel appearance at your preschool, primary school, after school event, kids’ party, community event, summer camp or other event.

Taming a tough crowd of preschoolers just got a lot easier.

For pricing and scheduling a Show and Tell With Trish and Mel event, contact Debbie Corsino at 330-310-4403
or info@showandtelltime.com. More information is available at www.showandtelltime.com. Tickets for Pajama Party are $5 through the Akron Civic Theatre box office at 330-253-2488, www.akroncivic.com, or www.ticketmaster.com. The doors open at 2 p.m.

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